PICTURES: How Low Will You Go? AND WHY?
POLL ON LINKEDIN! ( YES YOUR HAVE TO FIND MY PROFILE, OR IF YOUR FEELING REALLY GREAT, YOU CAN VOTE ON X ALSO!)
Let’s talk about something we all deal with but rarely admit to: the dilemma of how to present yourself online. Whether you're on LinkedIn, X (seriously, we still calling it that?), Instagram, or some other platform, you're making decisions—subconscious or otherwise—about how much of your personal life you share.??
THIS IS ALL IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE, March 2nd Myself and Max Wilson are joined on the Masculinity Unmasked podcast by Daniel Williams, marketing "YODA".
It’s no secret I work with other coaches. I’m no guru, and I’m not the guy promising to make you ￡10k a month. But I am honest. And one question keeps coming up over and over again: pictures. How much should I share? How much is too much???
Do you show the world your family BBQs? Post AI-generated glamour shots of yourself looking like an action hero? Stick with the tried-and-tested "mugshot" against a blank wall? Decisions, decisions.??
Now, I’ll be honest. I’ve hired people in the past, and before I even sat down with them, I did what most people won’t admit: I stalked their socials. Don’t gasp, you’ve done it too. Employers have been checking LinkedIn, Instagram, and even random retweets since the dawn of social media. And this trend is only getting worse (or better, depending on how you look at it). Even Elon Musk is out here tweeting job offers, saying he doesn’t care about CVs or degrees. So what does he care about? A good picture? A clever bio? A meme that hits just right???
The Million-Dollar Question??
Do you, dear reader, share your personal life on your socials? Or do you lock it away behind private accounts and only post polished, professional content? Is it OK to do it on some platforms but not others? Why???
Personally, I’ve agonized over this. For years, I didn’t like my accent, my appearance, or even the way I looked in photos. I set goals to get over it—took baby steps, like posting a picture where I almost liked how I looked. Now I’m relatively neutral about it, but the question remains: how much should you give away???
To illustrate the choices we make, let’s have a little fun. Yes, I’ve even provided some personal examples. No laughing—this is for the science and for the people. I’ve broken down four classic social media personas, complete with profile picture styles. Let’s see where you fit.??
A. Dr. Smolder Bravestone from Jumanji
Smoldering intensity, gazing heroically into the distance. Maybe you’re standing on a mountain, or you’ve slapped on a subtle Instagram filter to give the impression you’ve got it all together. It’s cool, it’s confident, and it’s very calculated.??
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Me? My “smouldering intensity” isn’t exactly 007. I look more like I’m squinting because I left my sunglasses in the car. But hey, we try.??
B. The Lion King Parent
Picture this: you, holding your kid aloft like Mufasa presenting Simba. It’s wholesome. It’s real. It screams, “Look, I’m human and family-oriented!” But let’s be honest—are you comfortable sharing that much? Your family might not have signed up to be part of your online brand.??
I don’t share many pictures of me and my wife. Why? Because I’m far too worried about the inevitable banter. She’s a 10, and I’m very aware I’m batting above my average (for my US friends, this means I’m punching above my weight class).??
C. Neo from The Matrix??
You are the one. Or at least your AI-generated avatar is. Slick, futuristic, and maybe a little soulless. This is the profile picture equivalent of driving a Tesla through Beverly Hills. It’s undeniably cool, but does it lack a personal touch? Are you too mysterious???
I’ll admit, this one can be tempting. It does make me look taller, more polished, maybe even younger. But when I stare at it, all I see is Toruk Makto—or Jake Sully, the big blue guy from Avatar. At that point, it’s less “powerful brand” and more “alien warrior.”??
D. The Mugshot
Clean white background, looking directly at the camera. No filters, no frills. It’s honest, organic, and a little clinical. Are you trying to convey, “I’m approachable but also not here for your nonsense”? It’s a strong choice, but some might say it lacks personality.??
For me? Jeeez. My wife does Botox on Harley Street, and she’s been trying to convince me to come in. But for this picture, let’s just say it would take a lot of work. Not sure all the banks in the world could fix that face. I went for a Bricks for a prison feel.
Why Does This Matter?
Because in an evolving world where everyone is marketing themselves—whether they know it or not—the way you present yourself online says more than you think. Are you confident? Are you relatable? Are you hiding behind a mask???
For me, it’s a balance. You won’t find many pictures of my wife on my socials—not because I’m ashamed (far from it)—but because I like to keep some things neutral. Maybe I’m protective. Maybe I’m overthinking it. But isn’t that the point? We all wrestle with this.??
And if you’re still unsure, join me, Max Wilson, and Daniel Williams on March 19th for the Masculinity Unmasked podcast, where we’ll dive into marketing and self-presentation. Yes, this includes awkward profile pics. No, we’re not letting you off the hook.??
So let’s hear it—what’s your style? Are you a Dr. Smolder Bravestone, a Lion King parent, a Neo, or a mugshot minimalist? Drop a comment below and let’s get scientific about this. Because, at the end of the day, the question isn’t just how low you’ll go—it’s how far you’ll climb to stand out.??
(Also, don’t laugh at my pictures. Science demands sacrifices, and I’m doing this for you.)